The Holy Sacraments and the Sinful Priest
The Holy Sacraments and the Sinful Priest
Question
Can the holy sacraments be performed through a sinful priest?
Answer
Yes, the sacraments are accomplished, and the sinful priest receives condemnation for himself.
For the sacraments are accomplished not through the righteousness and holiness of the priest, but through the authority given to him by the Holy Spirit. And the priest is not the giver of the graces that we receive through the holy sacraments, but merely a transmitter of them. He is only a vessel carrying God’s graces to us.
You may drink water in a cup of gold, or in another of silver, or copper, or glass. And the water is the same water; its nature has not changed because of the vessel. You may feel greater joy when you drink from a cup of gold instead of a cup of tin, but the water is the same water; its substance has not changed.
We say this to you, but to the priest we say that he ought to be filled with the Holy Spirit, blameless, so that the ministry may not be blamed in anything.
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